Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved,
clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Compassion; the Latin word ‘compati’ means to ‘suffer alongside.’ Compassion is the attitude that says, “what hurts you, hurts me.” It doesn’t shrug off others’ needs, it doesn’t blame or condemn, it never willfully ignores another person’s pain. True compassion affects our outlook, our behavior, and the very core of our interactions with others.
When we become fully cognizant of the immensity of God’s mercy towards us, we cannot remain indifferent to the struggles of those around us. His mercy compels us to acknowledge the needs around us and respond with a love as radical as His love for us.
We can’t meet every need but we can always help somehow, somewhere, sometime. You don’t need a degree in psychology, just a heart that is willing and available.
Thought: “Compassion is hard because it requires the inner disposition to go with others to the place where they are weak, vulnerable, lonely, and broken.” – Henri Nouwen
For further reading:
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
- Philippians 2:1-4
- Colossians 3:12
- James 5:11